Tigers rout #7 Rio Grande for 3rd Top-25 win

#21 Georgetown entered Saturday's showdown with #7 Rio Grande averaging just under 94 points per game, while the Red Storm came in as the top scoring team in the country at just under 104 points per game. While the scoring pace was high from the start, it was Georgetown that maintained the hot shooting throughout. The Tigers shot 61% from the field in a 106-83 win, giving the team its 3rd win over a top-25 team this season. It also makes Georgetown the first team in the NAIA this year to reach 10 wins.

Both teams were firing from the get go of this game in Kingsport, TN. 9 points were scored in the first 49 seconds, providing a mere preview of what was to come. Rio got out to a 20-12 lead in the 1st before Georgetown came roaring back, outscoring the Red Storm, 16-4, over the final 5:38 of the quarter to take a 28-24 lead after 1. The teams combined to shoot 70% from the field in the first 10 minutes.

The second quarter was where the Tigers made their move and it came on the defensive end. Rio shot just 4-13 in the 2nd and turned the ball over 6 times. The Red Storm still had no answers for a torrid Tiger attack. GC shot 10-16 in the 2nd as Erin Toller and Jalynn Landversicht combined for 16 points on 5-6 floor shooting. Georgetown took a 56-41 lead to halftime. In the half, Toller scored 15 points on 5-5 shooting, including 3-3 from beyond the arc.

Rio Grande's offense got  back on track in the 3rd as the Red Storm shot 50% and tallied 28 points. Georgetown cooled off dramatically compared to the 1st half. The Tigers shot just 5-13 in the 3rd, but thanks to stellar foul shooting (11-13), Georgetown was able to keep Rio at bay and prevent any comeback attempt. Toller added 9 more to her total in the period, giving her 24 on the night.

The final quarter proved a near replica of the 2nd quarter, but the story was AJ Stevenson in the final 10 minutes. She went a perfect 6-6 from the field, scoring 14 points, matching the entire Rio Grande team in the 4th. Georgetown shot 10-14 in the 4th, while had as many made baskets as turnovers (4).

AJ Stevenson's huge 4th quarter gave her 24 points on the night, equaling Erin Toller for the game-high. Jalynn Landversicht turned in one of her best all-around performances with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Teionni McDaniel proved a nightmare on both ends for the Red Storm, finishing with 13 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Trinity Klock was the 5th Tiger in double-figures with 10 points in 17 minutes.

Georgetown's offense clicked on all levels on this night. The Tigers shot 9-15 from 3-point range and knocked down 25 free throws. The offense also took major advantage of 20 Rio turnovers by converting those to 26 points. The Tigers also dominated inside with a 50-22 points advantage in the paint.

The Tigers will go for their 11th straight win on Thursday night against Stephens. Tip time at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym is slated for 5:30pm.